Toyota locks up Gibbs, Waltrip teams with long-term deals
By Nate Ryan, USA TODAY
Updated 15m ago
SALISBURY, N.C. Toyota unveiled its 2013 Camry at its NASCAR engineering center Tuesday and announced it has long-term commitments from its teams to campaign it in the Sprint Cup Series.
Toyota Racing Development President Lee White said Joe Gibbs Racing, Michael Waltrip Racing and JTG Daugherty Racing were "on very long runways and will be with us for years to come" in NASCAR's premier series.
MWR is the last remaining member of Toyota's "freshman class" in 2007. JGR joined Toyota in 2008 and quickly turned the manufacturer into a winner in its second year in NASCAR's premier series.
With Dodge having unveiled its 2013 car but without any teams in the fold for next year, there was speculation that the manufacturer might be courting JGR (which fields Camrys for Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano) and MWR (which has Martin Truex Jr., Clint Bowyer and Mark Martin in its lineup).
White squashed that notion by announcing long-term deals with both teams along with JTG Daugherty Racing, which fields the No. 47 Toyota for Bobby Labonte.
"They all have agreements that extend beyond two more years," White said, declining to address specifics beyond saying the deals were multiyear. "We expect to compete on this dance floor as long as they'll have us."
Toyota currently fields seven cars in Cup but has said in the past it'd like to have about a quarter of the 43-car field. White said TRD was happy with its lineup and was hopeful that the three-car operations of JGR and MWR might add a fourth car to put it near its goal.
"We're happy with the guys we've got," White said. "We're very pleased with Joe Gibbs and Michael Waltrip Racing, they're both there with three cars and have room to expand if there's sponsorship. TRD is making sure if that happens, we have the production capability with engines to expand. Hopefully the economy turns around a little bit to get to eight or nine cars, and that would be our share. Beyond that we don't have designs trying to run 12-13 cars like one of our competitors. Not at all."
Toyota's 2013 Camry will be more similar to the production model than ever. A new front grille matches the street version, and distinct side character lines and an updated rear bumper also bring the race car more relevant to its showroom counterpart.
"We're extremely proud of the Camry and the development of the car was truly a unique process," White said. "NASCAR and all four manufacturers were brought together to guide the direction of the new cars. We all worked to put the 'S' back in NASCAR. We all wanted race cars that look more like our stock, production models, and we accomplished that."
NASCAR worked in tandem with its four manufacturers to introduce more "identity" in Cup. In 2007, a bigger, boxier car made its debut and was aimed at enhancing safety while making it easier for NASCAR officials to police. But it also resulted in a more generic look in which it was difficult to differentiate cars beyond their decals.
Ford and Dodge also have introduced new models for next year that have more in common with their production cars, and Chevrolet announced last week that it would unveil its SS later this year.
NASCAR President Mike Helton hailed the new model as a unique moment in NASCAR history.
"It'll be looked back at as very significant in our timeline as NASCAR took a different path and asked manufacturers to be more engaged with the styling of the race cars rather than just providing race cars," Helton said. "The relationship with the manufacturers is paramount in NASCAR.
"It's important for NASCAR's product to be relevant. We get the fact it's important for Toyota to relate its involvement in NASCAR to what its business goals are. We work hard to maintain that relevance, and this is a really good example of that."
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updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:04:08PM